Cost-Effectiveness of Genetic Screening for Lynch Syndrome
Supported by Myriad Genetics Laboratories, Inc.
April 1, 2011|OBG Management
Author and Disclosure Information
Lee P. Shulman, MD, FACMG, FACOG The Anna Ross Lapham Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chief, Division of Clinical Genetics, Co-Director, Northwestern Ovarian Cancer Early Detection, and Prevention Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, Cancer Genetics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Program, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy
Dr Shulman reports that he is a consultant to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Myriad Genetics Laboratories, Inc.; Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd; Genzyme Genetics; and Ferring Pharmaceuticals. He is a speaker for Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd; Merck & Co., Inc.; and GlaxoSmithKline. He receives grant/ research support from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Is risk-assessment-based population screening for Lynch syndrome a clinically beneficial and cost-effective strategy for improving health outcomes? A recent study by Dinh and colleagues showed that such screening could be economically feasible.1 Because there is a strong link between Lynch syndrome and a woman’s risk of developing cancer, and because clinically relevant genetic testing for Lynch syndrome is widely available, this recent study may show that screening the general population followed by testing for gene mutations associated with Lynch syndrome may be an important and cost-effective measure to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the development of certain malignancies in women.1 If such screening is associated with our patients’ long-term health, ObGyns should better understand this syndrome and consider the details of this study.
